Across many industries in the U.S., there is a decline in educated, skilled and experienced personnel as the largest generation in history moves out of the workforce and into retirement. As a result, it’s become a war for talent, and construction companies are on the front line.

President Trump’s decision to impose tough tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union quickly sparked retaliatory measures and is expected to lead to cost increases for U.S. construction contractors and for makers of construction equipment.

According to data released Friday by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national construction industry added 25,000 net new jobs in May. This follows a 21,000 net new job gain in April.

Nonresidential construction spending remained unchanged in April on a monthly basis.

Could new construction materials hit the US market soon?

Prices for inputs to construction materials expanded 0.8 percent in March and are 5.8 percent higher than at the same time one year ago.

The North Carolina Building Code Council has adopted the 2017 NC Electrical Code (2017 NEC) with an effective date of June 12, 2018.

Nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.3 percent in March, totaling $740.9 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis.

President Donald Trump’s recently imposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum have not yet gone into effect. But they are already affecting deal negotiations, bottom lines and construction pricing in commercial real estate.

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released this statement in reaction to President Trump’s announcement that he will impose new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products.